17th Design [voice/video]

[threadthefire]

To all of those invited to the private tours of passionné today, I have to apologize in advance. You are still more than welcome to come by, but I warn you that everything of value has been covered to protect it from my more recent... acquisitions. And speaking of, does anyone know what this one is?

[The camera clicks on for a moment to show a Resplendant Quetzal perched on his arm.]

I recognize the others, but this one is a mystery to me.

[In the background, you can also see three peacocks. All of them are tethered to Cinna's wrist by fine silver chains.

Suddenly the device is dropped and when it stops bouncing and spinning, you can look up to see Cinna batting at his head.]

That is my ear you buzzing little menace, not a flower!

[Stopping, he sinks back into his office chair and as he reaches for the device on the floor, you can see a tiny pair of hummingbirds, their needle-like beaks poking at Cinna's head, probably wondering where all of their delicious nectar had gotten to. They too are tethered, the chains so thin as to almost be invisible, but they glint in the afternoon light coming in the office.

Rubbing the side of his face, he sighs before he speaks.]

As I said, you can still come, just... advising you of the situation.

[He turns the camera off.]

Comments

[risetwice.livejournal.com]

You've got...a lot more than Finnick.

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

I noticed. [And he's not very happy about it either.]

audio;

[thenormalsquint]

[At first, there's a wolf whistle--not from Angela, definitely. She's too busy being amused at that being the strongest tone of voice she's ever heard from Cinna.]

Fancy.

[aimandfire.livejournal.com]

Do you want some help?

[ To be honest she has no idea what kind of help she can offer...and she has six of her own but they're much less rambunctious than Cinna's...er...flock. ]

[ video ]

[proportioned.livejournal.com]

[ HEY CINNA. GUESS WHAT ARIADNE HAS SIX (http://senoracoelho.wikispaces.com/file/view/Quetzal.jpg/57716692/Quetzal.jpg) OF. They're scattered across the room around her, each bound by rough lengths of butcher's twine. One is sitting on her shoulder, much to her chagrin. ]

It's called a quetzal.

[risetwice.livejournal.com]

Maybe you should harvest some feathers.

audio;

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

Very. The feathers are gorgeous, I think perhaps a line of hats?

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

Do you have any today? I didn't think to check as I was dragging my little menagerie out of the apartment this morning.

[ video ]

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

...you seem to have several. [He's a little jealous. Oh, to have all of his the same size.]

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

I intend to. I was telling Angela, I'm thinking perhaps a line of hats?

[aimandfire.livejournal.com]

Six, all mockingjays. But I could still come in. They don't exactly take up a lot of room and their leads are long.

[risetwice.livejournal.com]

Well you know better than I do.

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

Could I bother you to bring me something to eat? The idea of trying to herd these down to the cafe isn't a pleasant one.

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

I might, but if you ever had suggestions, I'd be more than happy to listen to them.

[ video ]

[proportioned.livejournal.com]

Six, actually. [ The ones scattered around the room are chatty, but the one (http://www.geodyssey.co.uk/costa-rica/_images/slideshow-defaults/costa-rica-quetzals.jpg) on her arm is docile and attentive, watching her talk with a quirk of its tiny head. ] You seem to have an entire aviary.

[risetwice.livejournal.com]

I just know that Katniss is really good at taking feathers off birds.

[aimandfire.livejournal.com]

[ Slightly wry... ]

They might not even let you in.

What do you want?

[ video ]

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately. The... quetzal, did you say? The quetzal seems fairly content. [He angles his device and you can see it on his (covered and protected) shoulder.]

But the hummingbirds hardly stop and the peacocks seem to want to go in opposite directions.

[ video ]

[proportioned.livejournal.com]

I think mine would be pretty quiet if it weren't for two of them trying to make little baby quetzals. [ Hm. ] From what I can tell, most people are saddled with only one bird, or a group of the same kind -- like a murder or a flock.

But your proverbial cup runneth over.

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

I wager she, but generally they're dead first. I don't think these would appreciate the same treatment. I think I can make do with what falls naturally. With scarcity comes higher prices, you know.

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

Pasta of some sort? I'm not particular. And some sugar? If I remember, I can mix some of it with water and the hummingbirds will eat that.

[ video ]

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

I heard a phrase awhile back, it never rains, it pours?

[risetwice.livejournal.com]

I don't think she would keep them alive.

[ video ]

[proportioned.livejournal.com]

[ The hint of a smile. ] Well, you're a creative person. There must be a windfall here somewhere.

[ It's not lost on Ariadne that Cinna's been cursed with awfully pretty birds. ]

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

But we would probably get a good dinner out of it, wouldn't we?